Flu Season Alert

on
Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Flu SeasonAlert • Flu season hits Illinois with medical warnings. Infectious disease specialists point out a gap between the strains of flu protected against by each fall’s flu vaccine and the strains that actually hit the United States. The Associated Press and its partner, the Northwest Herald, reported an increase in flu-related hospital admissions on Saturday, December 13. The Department of Public Health reports that 115 of these patients have been admitted to intensive care treatment units. Cases of flu often need to be monitored with special care when the victim or potential victim is already facing other long-term or acute health challenges.

Persons with infectious diseases are encouraged to stay away from public places, including schools, workplaces and especially health facilities. The Chicago Tribune reported climbing absentee rates at Illinois primary and secondary schools on Wednesday, December 17 as parents withdrew pupils from classes and activities. Persons who have been vaccinated will continue to be partly protected from this year’s flu threat.